Ireland
Munster star CJ Stander favouring Ireland over Springboks
ESPN Staff
May 3, 2015
CJ Stander
CJ Stander© Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Munster No.8 CJ Stander intends to turn his back on South Africa in favour of representing Ireland.

Stander, who was crowned Munster's player of the year on Thursday, qualifies for Ireland the day after the 2015 Rugby World Cup final and after another impressive campaign for Munster, the 25-year-old is pinning his Test hopes on his adopted country rather than South Africa.

Stander has previously captained South Africa's Under-20 side and was called up by the Springboks in 2012 but failed to make his Test debut. If he continues his remarkable rise then he will surely catch the eye of both South Africa and Ireland.

"I will have to decide [between South Africa and Ireland] but I think I have set my sights on Ireland and I think that is what I'm going to pursue," he toldPRO12rugby.com. "I think there will probably be a few people on my back about that, even my Dad, but I think I am going to pursue the Irish team, so hopefully it works out."

He added: "I just go out to do my best in the red jersey. It is all about the team but it is great to be selected for awards like this. I am deeply honoured, especially when I see those who have previously won this award and the quality of the others, Billy [Holland] and Tommy [O'Donnell], who were nominated this year."

© ESPN Staff

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